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I think it only looks dirt cheap if you're looking exclusively at campaign contributions. But the real influence of lobbying comes from managing entire networks
by glenstein 9y ago
I think it only looks dirt cheap if you're looking exclusively at campaign contributions. But the real influence of lobbying comes from managing entire networks of influence surrounding a person. A politician will suddenly know people who can help them manage their money, set their best friend up with investors so they can start their new business, help get their kid into the best school, help them find a lucrative career after politics, etc. I'm sure it's all extremely expensive.
- RepressedEmu 9y agoI guess thats like the difference between money and power. Money can make things happen but true power is about getting things that can't be bought.
- glenstein 9y agoWhile that's all true, I'm still specifically thinking of cases where money is being utilized to purchase beneficial arrangements. It's just that a lot of those dollars are being spent on things not found in retail stores, to acquire influence in ways beyond campaign contributions. So only looking at campaign contributions vastly underestimates the "price" of a politician.